Mavericks open homestand with Bobcats

(Sports Network) - After splitting their first two games of the season on the
road, the Dallas Mavericks will try to avoid a second straight loss when they
open a three-game homestand tonight against the Charlotte Bobcats.

The Mavericks began the 2012-13 season with Tuesday's 99-91 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, but Dallas was then trounced 113-94 the following night in Utah.

Of course, Dallas has begun the season without superstar Dirk Nowitzki, who
is recovering from knee surgery and isn't expected back any time soon.

However, the Mavericks are hoping center Chris Kaman, who also has sat out the
first two games, is ready to return from a strained right calf. The 30-year-
old Kaman signed a one-year, $8 million deal to join Dallas during the
offseason.

Mo and Marvin Williams lit up the Mavericks for a combined 42 points on
Wednesday, leading the Jazz to the rout at EnergySolutions Arena. Darren
Collison led the Mavericks with 17 points and seven assists, while Brandan
Wright added 15 points in the setback.

Vince Carter and O.J. Mayo scored 12 points apiece for the Mavs, who will try
to win their home opener this year after starting 0-2 at American Airlines
Center last season.

Dallas will host Portland on Monday before capping the homestand Wednesday
against Toronto.

Charlotte finally ended their 23-game losing streak dating back to last season
with Friday's 90-89 victory over the Indiana Pacers. In the season opener for
the Bobcats, Kemba Walker led all scorers with a career-high 30 points and
Gerald Henderson poured in 18 for Charlotte, which won in the debut of head
coach Mike Dunlap.

"The most important thing was to kill the elephant and that elephant was that
losing streak and get that off everybody's back," Dunlap said. "It's just one
of those marks you want to clean off the board."

Ben Gordon finished with 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting, while Ramon Sessions
added 11 points and four assists in the victory. The Bobcats, who had the
worst winning percentage (.106) in league history last season, haven't started
2-0 since the 2007-08 season.

The Bobcats are 0-15 all-time against Dallas and they have never reached the
100-point mark versus the Mavs.